Rawlings wanted Mills in power to control him – Obed Asamoah

Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, a former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress has hinted that Jerry John Rawlings wanted the late Prof. Evans Atta Mills in power because he thought he could control him.

He made this revelation during an interview with JoyNews’ journalist Emefa Apawu where he said Rawlings’ attack on Mills started when the late President didn’t give him the pleasure of manipulating him by playing an independent role when he came into power.

“In many ways it was quite obvious to me that he wanted Prof Mills because he thought he could control him but when Prof Mills got the leadership and then won power, he played an independent role and I think that didn’t sit well with him and that is why he kind of started attacking him”, Dr Asamoah stated.

He further explained that although he didn’t have difficulties working with Rawlings, the only time he had a problem was when he (Rawlings) tried imposing the late President Mills on the party. He said “That is when I felt that other people were also entitled to be considered. That is when we had our clashes and differences”.

Dr Obed Asamoah early on indicated that he sent a congratulatory message to Dr Valerie Sawyerr for speaking her mind and taking on Rawlings in her “Ntomtom or Nwansena” article.

Dr Sawyer, a Deputy Chief of Staff under former President John Mahama, blamed the NDC defeat in the 2016 election to Mr Rawlings and Amidu's outbursts at the John Mahama led government.

In the article widely circulated, the environmental consultant said the NDC founder sees nothing good in anyone but himself.

“They say he booms [but] I say he buzzes…like an agitated mosquito…looking for his next victim,” she wrote about Mr Rawlings.

Dr Sawyer also vented her anger on former Attorney-General, Martin Amidu, saying his “pomposity, over-bloated ego and sense of self-importance” will lead to his downfall. “I am not a soothsayer, neither am I a harbinger of gloom and doom…but once again I say to you…this time with a nation full of witnesses…that your Achilles heel will destroy you,” she said.

The former A-G has reacted to the statements made against him by Dr Sawyer. He said the former deputy Chief of Staff authored her article as though she was under the influence of alcohol.